Apparatus and method for providing treatment to a continuous supply of food product by impingement

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for providing treatment by impingement to a continuous supply of food product includes a treatment zone at an ambient pressure, a fluid delivery zone at an elevated pressure, and a circulation assembly. Impingement plates containing apertures separate the zones. When treatment fluid is drawn through the impingement apertures, jets of treatment fluid are produced and impinge upon food product traveling through the treatment zone. The apparatus can employ a conveyor mechanism to accommodate food product from a continuous supply, as opposed to batches.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention generally relates to a treatment apparatus for providingtreatment to a food product by impingement. In one aspect, the inventionrelates to a treatment apparatus having a plurality of chambers, one ofthe chambers defining a treatment zone having an ambient pressure andpermitting impingement of a treatment fluid upon a food product suchthat the food product is treated at the ambient pressure. In anotheraspect, the invention relates to a treatment apparatus having aplurality of chambers, one of the chambers defining a treatment zonehaving an ambient pressure and permitting impingement of a treatmentfluid upon a food product, in a continuous supply of food product, suchthat the food product is treated at the ambient pressure.

2. Description of the Related Art

The preservation of perishable products has been, and continues to be,the focus of considerable commercial interest. By extending the shelflife of a food product, economic value can be added to that foodproduct. Approaches to this end are many and varied (e.g., tight controlof storage conditions, packaging, post and in situ applications ofpreservatives) and various combinations of these and other techniquesare known and in practice to one extent or another.

In the context of one particular group of food products, namely bakedgoods (e.g., muffins, crumpets, scones, bagels, cookies, breads, etc.),all of the above techniques are in use. For example, baked goods can beplaced in frozen or refrigerated storage, covered with anaerobicpackaging, and/or supplemented by the addition of preservatives. Whensuch preservatives are used, the preservative can be added to either abatter or a mix from which the baked goods are prepared. Also, thepreservative can be applied to finished baked goods. With respect to thefinished baked goods, application of a small amount of the preservativecan extend the shelf life of the baked goods from a typical 6-8 days toan extended 14-16 days when all other conditions (e.g., packaging,storage conditions, and the like) are equal. These preservatives caninclude a wide variety of substances (i.e., microbiocidal substances,antimicrobial substances, etc.) such as acetic acid, lactic acid,carbonic acid, mixtures thereof, and the like.

In a typical preservative application process, a conventional treatmentapparatus can be employed to administer the preservative. Theconventional treatment apparatus essentially contains a movable hood incombination with a base. When in a closed relationship with one another,the hood and the base define a volume. The hood can be manipulated(e.g., raised and lowered) such that the baked goods to be treated canbe inserted and removed from the volume. Further, the hood can beequipped with an entry port for receiving a treatment fluid (e.g., apreservative or a mixture containing the preservative such as avaporized mixture of carbon dioxide and acetic acid). The base cancomprise a platen, or in some cases, a platen associated with a movablebase conveyor that rides upon the platen.

When the conventional treatment apparatus is in operation, the hood israised, the baked goods riding on the base conveyor in batches aretransported beneath the hood, and the base conveyor is temporarilyhalted. The hood is then closed over, and sealed against, the platenand/or base conveyor such that a negative pressure (e.g., a vacuum) canbe drawn within the volume of the treatment apparatus. After the vacuumis drawn by evacuating atmosphere (e.g., air) from within the sealedapparatus, the treatment fluid can be fed into the treatment apparatusto coat onto and/or penetrate into the external surfaces of the bakedgoods. The vacuum can promote and/or accelerate absorption of thetreatment fluid into the baked goods.

After the baked goods have been treated, excess treatment fluid can beexhausted, the hood of the treatment apparatus can be raised, and thebatch of treated baked goods can be removed using the base conveyor.This “treatment cycle”, or application of treatment fluid on abatch-by-batch basis, is normally repeated for each succeeding orsuccessive batch and can take approximately twenty-five to thirty (25 to30) seconds to complete.

Unfortunately, using the conventional treatment apparatus to treat bakedgoods on a batch-by-batch basis within a vacuum, as described above, canpresent a significant number of disadvantages. First, since theconventional treatment apparatus requires production of a vacuum duringthe treatment cycle, vacuum pumps (or other devices for drawing avacuum) must be associated with the apparatus. These vacuum pumps can beof significant size, can consume vast amounts of energy, can requireelaborate and intricate control systems, and can occupy valuable floorspace. Each of these factors can add significantly to the cost oftreating food products such as baked products. Thus, potential customersand users can be hesitant to purchase or employ such a treatmentapparatus for economic and financial reasons.

Also, since baked goods are typically delivered to a treatment apparatusin an indexed array, further difficulties can arise. An indexed array isproduced from a continuous supply of baked goods and is normally usedand maintained throughout a significant portion of the baked goodpreparation process. However, the indexed arrays of baked goods are notcompatible with the batch-by-batch treatment offered by the conventionaltreatment apparatus. Therefore, just prior to encountering the treatmentapparatus, the baked goods must be assembled into the batches. Only thencan the conventional treatment apparatus treat the baked goods asdescribed above. After treatment, the indexed arrays are usuallyrestored to promote further processing, such as packaging. Thus, thebatches are disassembled, the baked goods are collated, and then indexedarrays are reformed. Converting arrays to batches, and batches toarrays, can add time delays in the treatment process. Likewise,conversion can require expensive additional equipment. This additionalequipment can occupy valuable floor space, present elaborate controls,require an equipment technician or operator, consume large amounts ofenergy, and the like. Both the time delays and necessary additionalequipment can add to the cost of the baked good treatment process.

Additionally, when the conventional treatment apparatus is imbeddedwithin a typical treatment fluid generation system, a buffer tank isrequired. Buffer tanks typically comprise either heated or vacuumjacketed devices that are capable of receiving, storing, and expellingtreatment fluid. Because the batch-by-batch basis of treatment is usedwith the conventional treatment apparatus, the fluid generation systemwill produce the treatment fluid faster than the treatment apparatus canapply the treatment fluid. Thus, the buffer tank is employed toaccommodate the excess treatment fluid by acting as a reservoir. Thebuffer tank permits continuous receipt, and periodic discharge, of thetreatment fluid.

Unfortunately, buffer tanks are generally at least ten times the volumeof the treatment apparatus to inhibit pressure changes during theapplication of the treatment fluid. Also, buffer tanks can requiremultiple modulating control valves, pressure regulators, and a controlsystem. Therefore, buffer tanks can cause time delays and additionalcosts into the typical fluid generation system using a conventionaltreatment apparatus.

Thus, an apparatus and method for providing treatment to a food productat an ambient pressure would be highly desirable since such an apparatusand method would eliminate the need for a vacuum pump. Likewise, anapparatus and method for providing treatment to a continuous supply offood product would be highly desirable since such an apparatus andmethod would

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for applyingtreatment fluid to a food product. The apparatus comprises a housing, afirst chamber in the housing, a second chamber in the housing, aseparation means, and a circulation means.

The first chamber is adapted to receive treatment fluid while the secondchamber has an entry and an exit for the food product. The secondchamber is adapted to receive the food product to which the treatmentfluid is to be applied.

The separation means is disposed in the housing to separate the firstand second chambers. The separation means has a passage meansconstructed and arranged in the separation means to provide fluidcommunication between the first and second chambers and to control theconcentration of the treatment fluid introduced into the second chamber.

The circulation means is in communication with the first and secondchambers and draws the treatment fluid through the passage means ontothe food product and circulates unused treatment fluid to the firstchamber.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of impinging a foodproduct with treatment fluid. The method comprises the steps ofproviding a treatment fluid at a first zone and a food product to betreated at a second zone and drawing the treatment fluid from the firstzone into the second zone through a passageway of select construction.

The treatment fluid is then drawn from the passageway into the secondzone as a jet spray. The food product in the second zone is impingedwith the jet spray of the treatment fluid. The unused treatment fluid iscirculated from the second zone to the first zone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are disclosed with reference to theaccompanying drawings and are for illustrative purposes only. Theinvention is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction, or the arrangement of the components, illustrated in thedrawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of beingpracticed or carried out in other various ways. Like reference numeralsare used to indicate like components.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic flow diagram of one embodiment of aprocess for preparing a baked food product.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic flow diagram of another embodiment of aprocess for preparing a baked food product.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional, side elevational view of anembodiment of a treatment apparatus according to the present inventioncapable of use with the processes of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional, end elevational view of thetreatment apparatus according to the present invention taken along line4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of an impingementplate from FIG. 4.

FIG. 5A is a cross sectional view of a feature of the impingement plateof FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic flow diagram for one embodiment of atreatment fluid generation system capable of employing the treatmentapparatus of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is described below in the context of applying atreatment fluid containing a preservative (e.g., a mixture of carbondioxide and acetic acid) to a baked good, although the invention can beemployed with, and has applicability to, many different applicationprocesses.

Referring to FIG. 1, a flow diagram 1 for preparation of commercialquantities of a food product, for example a baked good (e.g., muffin,crumpet, scone, bagel, cookie, bread, and the like) is illustrated.Batter is prepared and then poured into molds that are either carriedon, or form a part of, a conveyor mechanism. The conveyor mechanismmoves the batter through a baking zone in which the batter is fullybaked.

Upon leaving the baking zone, the baked good is de-molded, typicallyonto a second conveyor mechanism. The de-molding procedure typicallydeposits the baked goods upon the second conveyor mechanism such thatthe baked goods are arranged in an indexed array. The indexed array ofbaked goods are then conveyed through a cooling tunnel to bring thebaked goods to a temperature appropriate for packaging (e.g., roomtemperature or slightly above).

In some instances as illustrated in FIG. 1, prior to packaging, thebaked goods will pass through a conventional treatment apparatus. Priorto encountering the conventional treatment apparatus, the baked goodsare assembled into batches. In batches, the baked goods are transportedthrough the conventional treatment apparatus where a treatment fluidcontaining a preservative is applied to an external surface of the bakedgoods. Typical preservatives can include a wide variety of substances(i.e., microbiocidal substances, antimicrobial substances, etc.) such asacetic acid, lactic acid, carbonic acid, mixtures thereof, and the like.Preservatives have the ability to radically drop the pH of food productsand, as such, can eradicate and/or eliminate any bacteria present withinthe food product. The treatment fluid can comprise a preservative or amixture containing the preservative. For example, a vaporized mixture ofcarbon dioxide and acetic acid can be employed as the treatment fluid.

In other instances, as illustrated by flow diagram 4 in FIG. 2,placement of the cooling tunnel and the conventional treatment apparatusare reversed. In other words, the baked goods are de-molded, assembledinto batches, treated with the treatment fluid, cooled, restored to theindexed array, and then packaged.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a preferred embodiment of a treatmentapparatus 6 according to the present invention is illustrated. Thetreatment apparatus 6 is capable of continuously processing and/ortreating a continuous supply of “food products” (not shown) that aredelivered to the treatment apparatus on a continuous basis. Thus, asused herein, unless specifically stated otherwise, the phrases “foodproduct” or “food products” refer to one or more food products that canbe provided to a treatment apparatus on a continual basis.

Treatment apparatus 6 includes a housing 8, a plurality of chambers 10,treatment fluid conduit 12, one or more circulation fan assemblies 14,and conveyor mechanism 16. Treatment apparatus 6 can further compriseone or a plurality of exhaust conduits 18.

The housing 8 can be constructed of a variety of materials, such asstainless steel, and in a variety of shapes, such as rectangular,cylindrical, and the like. Housing 8 includes a top 20, a bottom 22, anda periphery 24 of sidewalls as well as an interior volume 26 within thehousing.

Referring to FIG. 3, plurality of chambers 10 includes entry chamber 28,discharge chamber 30, and treatment chamber 32. Chambers 28, 30, 32 canbe separated from each other by baffles 34 or other structuralseparating members. Baffles 34 can be constructed of fluid-imperviousmaterials such as rubber, thin stainless steel, ultra-high molecularweight polyethylene (UHMW), are flexible, and do not substantiallyinterfere with the transportation of the food product through chambers28, 30, 32 and treatment apparatus 6. Baffles 34 can inhibit and/orprevent escape of the treatment fluid from treatment chamber 32. In thatregard, the baffles 34 help to retain the treatment fluid dispensed intothe housing 8. However, in preferred embodiments, baffles 34 do notcause or result in the substantial elevation of pressures withintreatment chamber 32.

Entry chamber 28 occupies that portion of interior volume 26 withinhousing 8 where the food product is received from conveyor mechanism 16and enters the housing. Therefore, when food product is delivered totreatment apparatus 6, the food product temporarily resides and isdisposed within entry chamber 28. Entry chamber 28 is typically at anambient pressure since the entry chamber is exposed to atmosphereoutside housing 8.

Discharge chamber 30 occupies that portion of interior volume 26 withinhousing 8 where the food product is expelled by conveyor mechanism 16and leaves the housing. Therefore, just prior to the food product beingremoved from treatment apparatus 6, the food product temporarily residesand is disposed within discharge chamber 30. Discharge chamber 30 istypically at an ambient pressure since the discharge chamber is exposedto atmosphere outside housing 8.

As show in FIG. 3, each of entry chamber 28 and discharge chamber 30 canalso include one or more internal baffles 36. Internal baffles 36 can beconstructed of fluid-impervious materials such as rubber, thin stainlesssteel, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW), are flexible,and do not substantially interfere with the transportation of the foodproduct through chambers 28, 30 and/or treatment apparatus 6. Internalbaffles 36 within chambers 28, 30 can be secured to housing 8 at variouslocales and can project away from the location of securement at avariety of angles and directions. Internal baffles 36 can inhibit and/orprevent escape of the

The entry chamber 28 and discharge chamber 30 can each employ an exhaustconduit 18. Exhaust conduits 18 can be associated with a remote mountedfan (not shown) and motor (not shown). The fan and motor can be disposedor secured on, for example, the roof of the processing plant. Althoughnot shown, it is contemplated that the remote fan can comprise aradial-style fan, a centrifugal fan, or a like device known in the artfor exhausting gases and/or fluids.

Exhaust conduits 18 can permit the removal of any treatment fluid and/orother substances (e.g. gases) that have undesirably seeped fromtreatment chamber 32 into to entry chamber 28 and/or discharge chamber30. Thus, when the remote fan and motor combination is operated, exhaustconduits 18 can inhibit and/or prevent treatment fluid from escapinghousing 8 where receipt and discharge of the food product is performedby conveyor mechanism 16. Exhaust conduits 18 attempt to ensure that thetreatment fluid is kept sufficiently distant from the atmospheresurrounding housing 8 and/or treatment apparatus 6.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, treatment chamber 32 includes a treatmentzone 44 and a fluid delivery zone 46. Treatment zone 44 and fluiddelivery zone 46 are separated within treatment chamber 32 by one ormore impingement plates 48.

Fluid delivery zone 46 is that portion of treatment chamber 32 that isproximate and associated with treatment fluid conduit 12. Treatmentfluid conduit 12 is operable to supply and/or deliver the treatmentfluid to fluid delivery zone 46 within treatment chamber 32. Althoughnot shown, treatment fluid conduit 12 can employ nozzles, atomizers, andlike devices to deliver the treatment fluid to the fluid delivery zone46 within treatment apparatus 6. Thus, treatment fluid conduit 12 candeliver the treatment fluid in a variety of configurations, such aspreferably a jet, vapor, mist, fog, and the like. As used herein, theterm “jet” means a forceful stream of fluid (e.g., liquid, gas, orcombination thereof).

In preferred embodiments, the treatment fluid is circulated and/ordistributed throughout fluid delivery zone 46 in a substantially uniformmanner and, therefore, flows approximately evenly through impingementapertures 50. Thus, the concentration of treatment fluid throughout thetreatment chamber 44 can also be substantially uniform. This can improvethe coverage of the treatment fluid upon the food product.

Treatment zone 44 is that portion of treatment chamber 32 that isproximate and associated with conveyor mechanism 16 and circulation fanassembly 14. Treatment zone 44 can exist at approximately an ambientpressure. As used herein, the ambient pressure is defined as a pressurethat can be slightly negative but still at or near pressure existingoutside housing 8. In other words, ambient pressure is a pressure thatis not significantly reduced by, for example, vacuum pumps.

While treatment zone 44 typically remains at the ambient pressure, fluiddelivery zone 46 exists at an elevated and/or positive pressure (i.e.,some pressure above, or elevated from, the ambient pressure). Theelevated pressure within fluid delivery zone 46 is produced when thetreatment fluid is supplied to the fluid delivery zone faster than thetreatment fluid can be expelled from the fluid delivery zone. Thedifference in pressure between fluid delivery zone 46 and treatment zone44 (e.g., approximately elevated versus ambient) helps to force thetreatment fluid to flow through impingement apertures 50 (i.e.,perforations) in impingement plates 48 which separate the fluid deliveryzone and the treatment zone. The pressure differential is primarily theresult of employing the fan assembly 14 discussed below.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in preferred embodiments impingement plates48 comprise longitudinal members of corrosion-resistant,fluid-impermeable material such as stainless steel, ultra-high molecularweight polyethylene (UHMW), other plastics, and the like, formed asplates. Impingement plates 48 include at least one impingement aperture50 and, as illustrated in FIG. 5, preferably contain a plurality of theimpingement apertures. Impingement apertures 50 provide the treatmentfluid with a path or route in which to flow through impingement plates48. The apertures 50 provide fluid communication between the deliveryzone 46 and treatment zone 48.

Impingement apertures 50 can comprise a variety of shapes, contours,lengths, depths, and the like. Further, impingement apertures 50 can bevariably distributed within and upon impingement plates 48. As shown inFIG. 5, impingement aperture openings 52 can be arranged upon surfaces54 of impingement plates 48 in an array, a pattern, randomly, or somecombination thereof. The placement of impingement apertures 50 can beconfigured and/or organized to control (e.g., increase) velocity or flowof the treatment fluid, alter the path of the treatment fluid throughimpingement plates 48, change concentration of the treatment fluidwithin treatment zone 44, and the like.

Referring also to FIG. 5A, there is shown in more detail the crosssection of the impingement aperture 50 of the plate 48. The aperture 50has a diameter D. A radius R of a bend 49 circumscribes the aperture 50and has a value equal to fifteen percent (15%) of the diameter D of theaperture. The radius R is measured from where a planar surface of theplate 48 commences to bend at 49 through a ninety (90) degree angle fromthe planar surface of the plate. This preferred ratio provides for amore uniform flow of the treatment fluid from the fluid delivery zone 46to the fluid treatment zone 44 under the effect of the circulation fanassembly 14, and facilitates more uniform impingement of the fluid jet,for example, onto the food product.

In FIG. 3, the direction of the food product through treatment apparatus6 is shown as indicated by directional arrows A. Also illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, the direction and/or path of various fluids (e.g., atreatment gas, a treatment gas mixed with a carrier gas, used and excesstreatment fluid, air, other gases and fluids, etc.) through treatmentapparatus 6, the plurality of chambers 10, treatment chamber 32 (fromfluid delivery zone 46, through impingement apertures 50 in impingementplates 48, and into treatment zone 44) is shown by directional arrows B.

In FIG. 4, treatment chamber 32 can include one or more drains 56penetrating housing 8. Drains 56 can permit excess treatment fluid,among other substances, to be expelled from fluid delivery zone 46 andtreatment zone 44 within treatment chamber 32. Typically, drains 56permit the removal of treatment fluid that has condensed and, therefore,in preferred embodiments the drains are disposed proximate bottom 22 ofhousing 8.

The treatment fluid conduit 12 includes an elongate member, such as apipe or a tube, secured to top 20 of housing 8 proximate treatmentchamber 32. Treatment fluid conduit 12 can be fabricated of anon-corrosive material such as stainless steel, ultra-high molecularweight polyethylene (UHMW), other plastics, and the like and functionsto provide ingress and delivery of the treatment fluid to treatmentchamber 32. One or more treatment fluid conduits 12 can be associatedwith housing 8 at various locales (e.g., top 20, bottom 22, and/orperiphery 24 or sides) and deliver the treatment fluid to fluid deliveryzone 46 within treatment chamber 32 as desired.

In a preferred embodiment, circulation fan assembly 14 comprises motor58, fan 60, and motor shaft 62. Motor 58 can be any conventionally usedelectric motor, gas motor, and the like, operable to power fan 60. Motor58 can be secured, in preferred embodiments, to top 20 of housing 8. Fan60 can be disposed at one end 64 of motor shaft 62 such that the fanextends into, or is otherwise associated with, treatment zone 44 intreatment chamber 32. End 66 of motor shaft 62 can be associated withmotor 58 such that the motor can operate fan 60. When operated, fan 60circulates or delivers gases and/or fluids from treatment zone 44 tofluid delivery zone 46. As such, circulation fan assembly 14 can recycleany remaining and/or excess treatment fluid 14 draws the treatment fluidfrom the zone 46 through the impingement apertures 50 into the zone 44for impingement onto the food product at a substantially ambientpressure.

As shown in FIG. 3, conveyor mechanism 16 includes a conveyor belt 68and rollers 70. All or a portion of conveyor belt 68 can travel throughtreatment apparatus 6. Also, conveyor mechanism 16, and in particularconveyor belt 68, are capable of receiving and introducing the foodproduct into housing 8 of treatment apparatus 6, thereafter transferringor progressing the food product through the treatment apparatus, andthen delivering or expelling the treated food product from the housingand the treatment apparatus. In preferred embodiments, at least one ofrollers 70 accepts torque from a drive motor (not shown). Further,conveyor belt 68 can beneficially contain perforations or apertures (notshown) to provide the treatment fluid with increased access to thosefood products disposed upon the conveyor belt. Additionally, it iscontemplated that conveyor belt 68 can be comprised of links, beconstructed of an “open mesh” material, and the like.

Despite numerous ingress and egress appliances and/or components beingdescribed as conduits (e.g., exhaust conduit 18, treatment fluid conduit12), various pipes, fixtures, fittings, and the like, are contemplatedand can be employed in place of the conduits to provide treatmentapparatus 6 with the same or similar benefit.

In operation, the food product travels on the conveyor mechanism 16,typically upon apertured conveyor belt 68, towards housing 8. Uponreaching housing 8, the food product is introduced into entry chamber 28by conveyor mechanism 16. As such, the food product temporarily resideswithin entry chamber 28 as conveyor mechanism 16 operates and conveyorbelt 68 progresses. Further or continuing movement of conveyor belt 68causes the food product within entry chamber 28 to be transferred fromthe entry chamber to treatment zone 44 within

While the food product is disposed within treatment zone 44, thetreatment fluid is discharged (or continues to be discharged) bytreatment fluid conduit 12 into fluid delivery zone 46. The treatmentfluid expelled by treatment fluid conduit 12 generates and/or maintainspositive pressure within the fluid delivery zone. Therefore, thetreatment fluid, under positive pressure, is forced from fluid deliveryzone 46, and into treatment zone 44, by passing through impingementapertures 50. When the treatment fluid passes through impingementapertures 50, a jet, a spray, and/or a stream of the treatment fluid isproduced. As the fluid constricts to pass through impingement apertures50, the velocity of the treatment fluid can be dramatically increased.The jets of treatment fluid shoot into treatment zone 44, as illustratedby directional arrows B in FIGS. 3 and 4, where the food product isprogressing and/or residing.

As the jets of treatment fluid enter treatment zone 44, the treatmentfluid jets impinge upon, strike, impact, and/or hit the food productdisposed upon conveyor belt 68. Therefore, the food product is treatedwith the treatment fluid by impingement. Notably, treatment of the foodproduct occurs without a vacuum (or significant negative pressure)existing within treatment zone 44, due to the “drawing” effect of thefan assembly 14. The treatment zone is free to remain at a relatively orapproximately ambient pressure during the treatment process.

In preferred embodiments, the treatment fluid impinges the food productdisposed on conveyor belt 68 at approximately a right angle. In otherwords, the jets of treatment fluid are substantially perpendicular tothe food product as the food product rests upon and/or within conveyorbelt 68. When the jets of treatment fluid strike the food product atright angles, application of the treatment fluid can be enhanced and/orimproved. Correspondingly, absorption of the treatment fluid by the foodproduct can also be enhanced and/or improved.

The amount of time that the food product spends within treatment zone 44(i.e., the amount of time that the food product is exposed to the jetsof treatment fluid) and the level, magnitude, and/or degree of treatmentthat the food product receives can directly correlate to the speed ofconveyor belt 68. Conveyor belt 68 speed can be increased or decreased,as desired, to ensure and/or dictate that the food product spends anappropriate amount of time within treatment zone 44 to ensure sufficienttreatment.

In a preferred embodiment, the speed of conveyor belt 68 is such thatthe food product will experience treatment zone 44 for approximatelythirty to forty seconds. This thirty to forty seconds is longer than theamount of time typically used by a conventional treatment apparatus(e.g., 25 to 30 seconds). The reason the food product is treated withintreatment apparatus 6 for the longer period of time is to ensure thatsufficient treatment of the food product occurs when vacuum pressure isabsent. Therefore, while treatment apparatus 6 can take longer to treatthe food product, the treatment apparatus can accomplish and/or performtreatment without the need for expensive vacuum pumps and associatedequipment.

In one embodiment, the speed of conveyor belt 58 can be adjusted suchthat the food product remains within treatment zone 44 for approximatelya minute and a half to two minutes (e.g., about three to four timeslonger than the food product spends in the convention treatmentapparatus).

In exemplary embodiments, conveyor belt 68 contains apertures orperforations, comprises a series of links, and/or has an “open mesh”design to provide the treatment fluid with substantial and/or improvedaccess to all sides of the food product. The apertures augment theamount of surface area on the food product which can be impinged by thejets of treatment fluid.

As, and after, impinging upon the food product, the treatment fluid canremain within treatment zone 44, circulate into fluid delivery zone 46through fan 60, and/or seep from treatment zone 44 into either or bothof entry chamber 28 and discharge chamber 30. Since fluid, gases, andthe like, the exhaust conduit and fan can offset or “cancel out” anyincrease in pressure within treatment zone 44 that might otherwise occurdue to injection of the treatment fluid in pressurized streams. In otherwords, exhaust conduit 18 and fan 60 can each remove treatment fluidand/or other substances from treatment zone 44 as quickly as thetreatment fluid is introduced into the treatment zone. Thus, the ambientpressure within treatment zone 44 can be approximately or substantiallymaintained.

Referring to FIG. 3, after experiencing treatment zone 44 withintreatment chamber 32, the food product travels upon conveyor belt 68from the treatment chamber to discharge chamber 30. The food producttemporarily resides within discharge chamber 30 where unused and/orexcess treatment fluid and/or other substances can be removed by exhaustmechanism 18. Progression of conveyor belt 68 causes the food productwithin discharge chamber 30 to eventually be expelled from the dischargechamber. From there, the food product can be packaged and/or otherwisehandled.

By using conveyor mechanism 16, treatment apparatus 6 is capable ofproviding treatment to a continuous supply of the food product. The foodproduct can travel by operation of conveyor mechanism 16 throughtreatment apparatus 6 on a continuous and/or uninterrupted basis in, forexample, the indexed array without having to be assembled into batches.In preferred embodiments, movement and/or progression of conveyormechanism 16 is enduring and/or perpetual over extended periods of time.Therefore, time delays in assembling the batches, as well as numerouspieces of batch assembly equipment, can be eliminated from the foodproduct treatment process. Likewise, a buffer tank and associatedequipment is unnecessary.

In preferred embodiments, movement and/or progression of conveyormechanism 16 is enduring and/or perpetual over extended periods of time.However, it is also contemplated that operation of conveyor mechanism 16can be selectively irregular, intermittent, briefly paused, and/or somecombination thereof, while still possessing the ability to accommodatethe continuous supply of food product. For example, movement of conveyorbelt 68 can be temporarily paused or halted depending on properties ofconveyor mechanism 16 (e.g., rate and/or acceleration of the conveyorbelt) which depend on, for example, the type of food product beingtreated, the time treatment chamber 32 needs to perform its designatedfunctions, efficiency of associated components (e.g., treatment fluidconduit 12, circulation fan assembly 14, and the like), along with ahost of other factors. Despite any temporary cessation of movement ofconveyor belt 68, treatment apparatus 6 can still accommodate thecontinuous supply of food product and does not require the assembly ofbatches.

The terms continuous supply, continual supply, continuing supply, andthe like, are defined as an unbroken, enduring and/or perpetual quantityof, for example, the food product. However, as used herein, the scope ofthe terms can also include a broken, intermittent, discontinuous, and/orirregular quantity of the food product that is repeated, recurring,and/or persistent. In other words, the continuous, continual, and/orcontinuing supply of the food product can be delivered in anuninterrupted and unbroken chain of the food product, a series of chainsof the food product, and/or some combination thereof.

Preferably, treatment apparatus 6 is employed within fluid generationsystem 100, as illustrated in FIG. 6, capable of mixing a carrier gasand vaporized liquid with little, if any, entrained droplets. In fluidgeneration system 100, tank 101 holds liquid carbon dioxide, typicallyat about three hundred (300) psig. Liquid carbon dioxide is transferredto vaporizer 102 and converted to a gas substantially, if notcompletely, free of any droplets. The gas is then passed throughpressure reduction valve 103 and the pressure of the gas is dropped fromthree hundred (300) psig to one hundred (100) psig. The gaseous CO₂ isthen transferred to heater 104 (e.g., 140° F.). Temperature control unit126 coordinates the temperature of heater 104 and of chamber 123. Fromheater 104, the gaseous carbon dioxide at one hundred (100) psig istransferred to mass flow meter 105, which is controlled by flow control106. As long as pump 107 is in proper operation, flow control 106 allowscarbon dioxide to move from mass flow meter 105 into pipe 108. Pipe 108divides into pipes 109 and 110. While the amount of carbon dioxide eachof pipes 109 and 110 will carry can vary, typically pipe 109 will carryabout ten percent (10%) weight and pipe 110 will carry the remainingabout ninety percent (90%) weight of the carbon dioxide. The stream ofcarbon dioxide passing through in pipe 110 can also passes throughcontrol valve 111 before entering mixing antechamber 112.

Liquid acetic acid is removed from tank 113 through check valve 114 bythe action of pump 115. The liquid acetic acid moves through line 116and valve 117 into metering pump 107. If atomization nozzle 120 isoperational, then the liquid acetic acid is fed into the atomizationnozzle where the liquid acetic acid is atomized with carbon dioxidedelivered to the nozzle through line 109. If atomization nozzle 120 isnot operative, then the liquid acetic acid is returned to tank 113 byway of line 118 and check valve 119.

Atomized acetic acid is transferred from atomization nozzle 120 into theupper section of mixing/separation chamber 123 in which it is vaporizedby contact with carbon dioxide delivered from mixing antechamber 112through orifice plate 121. The carbon dioxide delivered from line 110into antechamber 112 passes through pressure reduction valve 111 inwhich the pressure of the carbon dioxide is reduced from one hundred(100) psig to about five (5) psig. The pressure of the atomized aceticacid as delivered to mixing/separation chamber 123 is also about five(5) psig. The temperature, pressure and volume of carbon dioxideintroduced into the upper section of mixing/separation chamber 123 issufficient such that the atomized acetic acid is essentially completelyvaporized upon contact with it.

Atomization nozzle 120 passes through antechamber 112 and orifice plate121, and is in communication with the upper section of mixing/separationchamber 123. Atomization nozzle 120 can extend into the upper section ofmixing/separation chamber 123 any convenient length, but typically theend of the nozzle is flush with or extends only a short distance beyondorifice plate 121.

Referring to FIG. 7, orifice plate 121 separates antechamber 112 fromthe upper section of mixing/separation chamber 123, and it encircles thelower end of atomization nozzle 120. Typically, orifice plate 121 islocated in the entry port of chamber ceiling or top wall 129, and it isangled in such a manner that at least one and preferably a plurality oforifices 122 are slanted in the direction of atomized mixture spray 124.The number, size and position of orifices 122 in orifice plate 121 canvary. In a preferred embodiment, orifice plate 121 is heated.

Carbon dioxide gas moves under a positive pressure from antechamber 112into spray 124, which is discharged from the end of atomization nozzle120. The area in the upper section of mixing/separation chamber 123 inwhich carbon dioxide gas 122 a impinges upon spray 124 is the mixingzone of the chamber. The remainder of mixing/separation chamber 123 isthe separation zone, which includes virtually all of the lower sectionof the chamber. Within the mixing zone, the atomized acetic acid isvaporized into gaseous acetic acid and residual acetic acid droplets.

Referring again to FIG. 6, the residual acetic acid droplets separategravitationally from the mixture of gaseous carbon dioxide and aceticacid as this mixture circulates about the separation zone of chamber123. Eventually the residual acetic acid droplets collect on floor 125of chamber 123. In a preferred embodiment, floor 125 is heated topromote evaporation of the collected residual acetic acid droplets.Alternatively or in combination with the heated floor, the residualacetic acid droplets are continuously or periodically withdrawn fromchamber 123 through drain 130.

Mixing/separation chamber 123 is made of any conventional material, iswell insulated, and is constructed to hold a positive pressure (e.g.,between about five to twenty (5-20) psig). Chamber 123 is equipped witha temperature sensor (not shown) which is connected to temperaturecontrol 126 which in turn is connected to heater 104. Temperaturecontrol 106 adjusts heater 104 to raise the temperature of the carbondioxide fed into antechamber 112 so as to maintain a desired temperature(e.g., 140° F.), in mixing/separation chamber 123. Chamber 123 can alsobe equipped with a pressure sensor and pressure relief valve (both ofwhich are not shown). The pressure sensor (not shown) can relayinformation to pump 107 and/or mass flow meter 105.

Occasionally, a small amount of residual droplets of acetic acid passinto the separation zone of chamber 123. This mixture of gaseous carbondioxide and acetic acid and residual acetic acid droplets is under apositive pressure and as such, it disburses throughout the internalvolume of chamber 123 (except the mixing zone which itself is underpositive pressure from both the mixture ejected from atomization nozzle120 and the carbon dioxide ejected from antechamber 112). This positivepressure eventually forces the gaseous acetic acid free of a substantialamount of the residual droplets through entrance port 127, into andthough exit conduit 128, and eventually out of chamber 123. Sinceentrance port 127 of discharge conduit 128 is located in the uppersection, preferably near ceiling 129 of chamber 123, most, if not all,of the residual droplets of acetic acid have separated from the gaseousmixture due to the influence of gravity. These droplets will condense onthe internal walls of chamber 123 and the external walls of exit conduit128, eventually collecting on floor 125.

The application of the gaseous mixture of carbon dioxide and vaporousacetic acid discharged at conduit 128 from fluid generation system 100is provided to the treatment apparatus 6 at treatment fluid conduit 12.As such, the mixture can be applied to the food product on a continuousbasis to correspond to the continuous basis of the vaporization ofliquid acetic acid with gaseous carbon dioxide. Thus, the need for aconventional buffer tank is eliminated. The gaseous mixture dischargedfrom exit conduit 128 is transferred directly, in preferred embodiments,to treatment apparatus 6.

Commonly-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/819,513filed Mar. 28, 2001, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Mixing a Gas anda Liquid” discloses other and various embodiments and components withina fluid generation system and, therefore, the contents and disclosure ofthat application are incorporated into the present application by thisreference as if fully set forth herein.

Further, commonly-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.______ entitled “Apparatus and Method for Providing Treatment to aContinuous Supply of Food Product Using a Vacuum Process” filed on May,7, 2002, U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ entitled “System andMethod of Using Non-Volatile Microbiocidal Application Agents” filed on_(—), 2002, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ entitled“Microbiocidal Gas Generation System” filed on _(—), 2002, discloseother and various embodiments and components within a fluid generationsystem and, therefore, the contents and disclosure of these applicationsare incorporated into the present application by reference as if fullyset forth herein.

Despite any methods being outlined in a step-by-step sequence, thecompletion of acts or steps in a particular chronological order is notmandatory. Further, elimination, modification, rearrangement,combination, reordering, or the like, of acts or steps is contemplatedand considered within the scope of the description and appended claims.Various items of equipment, such as fittings, valves, mountings, pipes,sensors, monitoring equipment, wiring, and the like have been omitted tosimplify the description. However, such conventional equipment and itsuses are known to those skilled in the art and can be employed asdesired.

While the present invention has been described in terms of the preferredembodiment, it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, andmodifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible andwithin the scope of the appended claims.

1. An apparatus for applying treatment fluid to a food product,comprising: a housing; a first chamber in the housing adapted to receivetreatment fluid; a second chamber in the housing having an entry and anexit for the food product, the second chamber adapted to receive thefood product to which the treatment fluid is to be applied; separationmeans disposed in the housing to separate the first and second chambers,the separation means having passage means constructed and arranged inthe separation means to provide fluid communication between the firstand second chambers and to control the concentration of the treatmentfluid introduced into the second chamber; and circulation means incommunication with the first and second chambers for drawing thetreatment fluid through the passage means onto the food product andcirculating unused treatment fluid to the first chamber.
 2. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the passage means comprises: atleast one aperture extending through the separation means for the firstand second chambers to be in fluid communication with each other.
 3. Theapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the passage means at the secondchamber is constructed and arranged to dispense jets of the treatmentfluid to impinge the food product.
 4. The apparatus according to claim2, wherein the at least one aperture comprises: a bend circumscribingthe aperture and having a radius with a length equal to approximatelyfifteen percent of a length of the diameter of the at least oneaperture.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a cross sectionof the passage means is constructed and arranged to increase thevelocity of the treatment fluid passing through the passage means. 6.The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the separation meanscomprises a plate.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising: conveying means disposed in the second chamber for conveyingthe food product therethrough for receiving the treatment fluid.
 8. Theapparatus according to claim 7, wherein the conveying means comprises: aconveyor belt.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theseparation means comprises: a plurality of plates substantially definingthe second chamber into which the treatment fluid is drawn onto the foodproduct.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the treatmentfluid comprises: at least one preservative selected from the groupconsisting of acetic acid, lactic acid, and mixtures thereof.
 11. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the treatment fluid comprises:at least one of a microbiocidal substance and an antimicrobialsubstance.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the treatmentfluid comprises: a carrier gas.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 12,wherein the carrier gas is selected from the group consisting of carbondioxide, nitrogen, and ozone.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 1,further comprising: retaining means disposed at the entry and the exitof the second chamber to substantially retain the treatment fluidintroduced into the second chamber.
 15. The apparatus according to claim14, wherein the retaining means comprises: a plurality of movablebaffles.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: anexhaust mechanism in communication with at least one of the entry andthe exit. 17-22. (canceled)